Having maintained complete silence for almost a year, Smithills School Senior Band and MD Chris Wormald have finally been able to reveal that they will play a central part in the release of the 2009 BBC ‘Children in Need’ CD.

Silver Bells

They have recorded and filmed with Sir Terry Wogan for this year’s BBC Christmas single release, and not only have Smithills played on the main single entitled, 'Silver Bells' with Terry and Aled Jones, but the Bolton band has also recorded a further track entitled 'Bangers & Mash' with Mark Ratcliffe and Sally Boazman of BBC Radio 2 for the official 2009 BBC ‘Children in Need’ double CD.

That song was a huge hit for Peter Sellers and Sophia Loren 50 years ago.

Secret

The project arose after BBC representatives secretly attended a concert given by Smithills School Senior Band last December and, as a result, approached the school about this year's recording.

Smithills immediately accepted the invitation but were sworn to secrecy for fear it would jeopardise their involvement in one of the BBC’s highest profile events.

The video for 'Silver Bells' features Smithills band members and has been directed by Jeremy Engler, who has worked on three James Bond films4BR

New track

Meanwhile, Terry Wogan made it clear he did not want to record another 'Floral Dance' but wanted a brand new track with Smithills to be arranged for him.

The 1951 song 'Silver Bells' was chosen, which had been a hit for Bing Crosby as well as Dean Martin, and Chris Wormald was asked to make the brass band arrangement as well as that for ‘Bangers & Mash’.

Release Dates

Terry and Aled reached No. 3 in the charts last Christmas with 'Little Drummer Boy' and are hoping that success will be repeated, especially as the release of 'Silver Bells' will also coincide with Terry Wogan’s final week of hosting his BBC Radio2 Breakfast Show.

The video for 'Silver Bells' features Smithills band members and has been directed by Jeremy Engler, who has worked on three James Bond films. Jeremy was delighted with the young players of the band both for their playing on the two tracks and when filming at BBC Broadcasting House in London.

Major stars

The BBC1 fundraising programme ‘Children In Need’ is to be broadcast this year on Friday evening November 20th.

The official CD, featuring the two tracks is released worldwide on Monday November 9th, and other artists featured include Brian May, Nick Mason, Bill Wyman, Peter Gabriel, Sharon Corr, Hayley Westenra, Judie Tzuke and countless other stars and celebrities.